Great Themes of Paul

Life as Participation

By: Richard Rohr

Narrated by: Richard Rohr

Length: 10 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

In language that Paul might use if he were preaching and writing today, Rohr presents Paul’s all-embracing vision and invites us to enter into the mystery of Christ and be transformed. Rohr breaks new ground by applying up-to-date theories of our universe, integrating them with Paul’s revolutionary thinking about sin, saints and spirituality.

Deep and complex, Paul may seem to be full of inconsistencies: arrogant but also humble, a fervent believer but a probing, critical thinker, a mystic but also a missionary community builder. Rohr admits the difficulties in understanding the short excerpts of Paul’s letters read at Sunday Mass. He analyzes the letters and explains the great themes. He challenges our usual understandings and invites us to imitate Paul and enter into the mystery in organic solidarity with the Risen Christ. Rohr sees us as partaking in the incredible transformation of the whole cosmos that struggles with the pattern of descent and ascent that is revealed and affirmed in Jesus.

©2002 Richard Rohr, O.F.M. (P)2002 St. Anthony Messenger Press

Healing to my Christian upbring

Would you listen to Great Themes of Paul again? Why?

Because its a mind opener. If you were like me you were raised on fear, and narrow minded Christian views that were both judgemental and quite literally childish.What a relief to listen to this. Blew me away, made me believe not only in the man Paul but helped me understand Jesus and the Christ in a way which made sense to my thinking, feeling and processing mind. I feel like Rohr's telling of Pauls transformational story allows us all a context in which to understand our spiritual unfolding and the dilemmas we face. I have fallen in love with the Jesus story, and will never see the crucifixion in the same light again. Wow :-)

Have you listened to any of Richard Rohr’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to a lot of Rohrs work. This is my favourite. I have been asking myself why. I dont yet have a firm answer. But I think you can hear Rohr's own passion burn through as he "defends" Paul and reveals a story and perspective that is alive and at once speaks to our modern struggles.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I certainly got to bed a bit to late on quite a few nights because I just wanted a little bit more and a little bit more.

Any additional comments?

I hope this gives folk the huge reframe that it has given my own struggles that life brings

Explains Paul's ideas very well.

Where does Great Themes of Paul rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top tier.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The narrator because he does a great job presenting Paul's mind

What does Richard Rohr bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The personal enthusiasm and care taken to ensure that Paul is not misinterpreted.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes. The intelligent explanation of sin, based on Paul's teaching: that sin, is not an act that provokes God's punishment but rather an action that does not acknowledge reality, and ultimately just does not work out.

Any additional comments?

Richard Rohr's presentation of Paul is remarkable. After hearing this book: I appreciated Paul's message (that the world is a church), I learned that Paul was not one of the 12 apostles, that Paul traveled to Corinth and that he spoke Greek and Hebrew. I did have some difficulty with the concept of Jesus and the author's occasional reference to the inappropriateness of worrying about tomorrow. Finally, it's amazing to hear that Paul believed that we are all basically gods, except that we s*#@t. Richard Rohr provides a religious explanation of a church saint for intelligent people.

Deeply Compassionate, Engaged Theology

Saint Paul has always been my favourite writer, since I first started to have favourite writers. Paul evangelized me both for literature and religion. What he writes is so eloquent, and so psychologically penetrating, it must be true in some sense. The author of the present book, Richard Rohr, talks about Paul's spirituality as one of inner transformation and growth. Between them, Paul and Jesus created the human individual as a unit of worth in mankind's evaluation of things. Rohr is gentle and passionate in the extreme, and teaches us many insights of wisdom and deep religious principles. His book is sure to give you new ways to understand your faith and the marvellous truths of theology.

Transforming

I own many of Fr. Robert's books and audio books.All are opening my life to Life. This audio book is the one I listen to almost daily.As a woman it's almost a given that I felt St.Paul had contradicted some of Christ's teaching on love- look who were Jesus closest friends.It is through Fr. Rohr's spiritual fire-must be akin to Paul himself that after 40 years I have returned home to the Catholic Church.Former Sister of Divine Providence.Thank you Father for your insight, courage and zeal!

Interesting, but only semi-biblical.

Well, I will say he is an interesting writer and great speaker. He does have some interesting speculation, but personally I think there's a little bit too much of that and it trends into unbiblical territory.

Worth a listen if you're a solid Christian.
Listen with a care if you're not.

Frank

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes! This is excellent! If you have never understood Paul, or even what Christianity is really all about, this is for you!

Wonderful

Richard Rohr has a way of expressing what the heart knows is true! I'll definitely listen to more of his lectures.

Gobsmacking. Gorgeous.

Much to my surprise, I found myself weeping and laughing over this, waking up at 3am night after night to listen and listen again. Robust enough to suit the academics, but it can only be experienced through the heart. You may never be the same. Thank you to Father Rohr, Franciscan Media, and audible.

Transforming Faith!

the author Richard Rohr didn't let me down. listening to R.R. was a spiritual experience. I come away with a deeper understanding of Paul, who he was in the body of the early church. I now understand my Faith better and I'm going to listen to this one at least 2 more times.

The Spirituality of Saint Paul

Richard Rohr explores the often neglected spirituality of of the letters and Epistles of Saint Paul. Rohr argues that Paul is often misunderstood as a moralist and this prevents many readers from learning from Paul's spirituality. Rohr begins this series of lectures by identifying the major and recurring themes in Paul's work, providing listeners with the tools to interpret Paul and enter into his spirituality. Few hours of my life have been spent more fruitfully than listening to this series of lectures.

loved it

Loved this man's honesty and he knows who he is in The Lord not denominationally

Brilliant

A great audio book. Makes so much sense. It brings to life the key messages of Paul for today and every day. As Richard said at the beginning of the book, by the end of it you will come to truly know Paul. It will be listened to again.

Amazing

This is the best audible I've heard. Excellent from start to finish. Will be revisiting again and again.

Truth

This book has helped me to understand the message of St Paul with more clarity. There have been so many ‘ahh haa’ moments that I look forward to reading it again because it speaks the Truth.

Wonderful listen

To hear him speak there is such warmth and love for us to take up the faith more than we do. It is a challenge to change and listening to Richard you want to. Wonderful listen and insight to Ss Paul.

This is a great book

I love Richard's energy when he's speaking. He is a great teacher. I find these teachings very helpful and educational. I've been suffering lately, at least my small self is, and this is helping deal with it. I recommend this book highly.

Just wow, brilliant

Loved it and want to hear it again. Brilliantly set out and recorded. Stil relevant and highly recommended.

wisdom to keep coming back to

Richard Rohr on fire..wow, the christian path is all here. too much to take in all at once ... the beauty of audible means I can keep going back in!!